SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go congratulated the people of Marinduque on the launch of the country’s 144th Malasakit Center at the Marinduque Provincial Hospital in the capital town of Boac on Tuesday, October 19.

The center is the first in the province and part of a wider effort by the Duterte Administration to bring public health services, particularly medical assistance, closer to the people, especially in rural and underserved areas.

“Ipinangako ko ito sa inyo nung huli akong pumunta dito. Sabi natin kung qualified naman ay maglalagay tayo ng Malasakit Center dito sa Marinduque para makatulong sa mga kababayan natin para ‘di na nila kailangan pumunta ng ibang isla para humingi ng tulong,” said Go highlighting the fulfillment of his promise.

Marinduque is an island province located in the southern part of Luzon. It is separated from mainland Luzon by Tayabas Bay. Owing to its being an island, residents requiring more substantial government assistance often have to travel by boat and go to the mainland.

“Para hindi kayo mahirapan, nandito na ang mga ahensya sa inyung ospital. Ginawa natin ito upang maging mas mabilis ang paghahatid ng serbisyo. Lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya, kailangan ang gobyerno ang lumapit sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

In 2019, Go principally authored and sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11463, also known as the Malasakit Centers Act, after being elected as a senator.

The Malasakit Center is a one-stop shop which brings together the agencies which offer medical assistance, namely the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, under one roof.

Similar centers in the MIMAROPA Region have also been opened at the Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Mamburao, Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital in Calapan City, Ospital ng Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, and Romblon Provincial Hospital in Odiongan.

“Zero balance ang target nito para wala na kayong babayaran. Kung kulang ang tulong ng mga ahensya, mayroong inilaan din na dagdag pondo si Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte. Pakiusap nalang namin sa mga doktor at social worker, ‘wag niyong pabayaan ang ating mga mahihirap na kababayan, ‘yung helpless, hopeless at walang matakbuhan,” appealed Go.

The senator thanked the frontline health workers for their sacrifices and vowed to extend all necessary support to ensure the hospital can continue to provide proper care for patients.

He specifically reiterated his commitment to push for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2421 which he co-sponsored and takes into consideration an earlier bill that Go authored. The bill provides for a COVID-19 Risk Allowance in lieu of the special risk allowance and other financial compensation granted under the Bayanihan 2.

“Hindi nababayaran ng kahit ano man ‘yung sakripisyo ninyo sa panahon ngayon. Kaya ipaglalaban ko ang inyong kapakanan. Iyung sinasabi nilang exposed lang ‘yung bibigyan ng risk allowance, napaka-unfair nun! Hindi kami papayag ng ganoon dahil hindi naman natin nakikita ‘yung COVID. Pagpasok mo palang sa ospital, dapat considered exposed kana,” he explained.

As the nation continues to confront the pandemic, Go then praised the government’s efforts to accelerate the vaccination drive which has so far administered 54.8 million doses of vaccines, including 28.3 million first doses and 24.5 million second or single doses.

“Paalala ko sa ating mga kababayan, kung gusto niyo tulungan ang mga health workers, kung gusto niyo bumaba ang mga kaso at hindi mapuno ‘yung ospital, magpabakuna na kayo. Wala namang ibang paraan para makamtan natin ang population protection at herd immunity sa ngayon,” said Go.

“Napatunayan natin ngayon sa Metro Manila, dahil 77% (of eligible adults) na ang fully vaccinated, na bumababa ‘yung mga kaso. Kung mababa ang kaso, mabubuksan natin muli ang ekonomiya. ‘Pag bukas ‘yung ekonomiya, makakabalik kayo sa trabaho at may laman ang tiyan niyo. Alam niyo, hindi lang COVID ang kalaban natin ngayon, kagutuman rin po,” he warned.

Following the ceremony, his staff handed out meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields to a total of 303 health workers and 50 patients. They also gave select health workers shoes or bicycles for their daily commute or computer tablets for their children to use in school.

Moreover, personnel from the DSWD distributed financial assistance to each patient and 190 rank-and-file employees of the hospital.

In an interview, the family members of some of the hospital’s youngest patients expressed their gratitude for the new Malasakit Center and appealed for further assistance from the senator so they can avail the best possible treatment for their loved ones.

Among those present with Go were Speaker of the House Lord Velasco, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr., and other national and local government leaders including Chief of Hospital Dr. Manuel Zaratan.